The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond XXX

Olivia Doherty
Jeanine Stansfield, Teacher
Warren-Prescott School
I think that courage means to stand up for yourself and others, and for what
is right. I believe that courage is also another form of bravery. When you show
courage, you just need to dig those deep, dark fears into a black hole, and
bring out your strong, brave self. I believe that I show this courage every single
day, living with my autistic and Down syndrome brother, Niko. I wake up every
day, hoping that this day will be better than the last. I have to deal with Niko’s
outbursts, and I just need to learn to accept my way of living. Niko doesn’t
always understand certain concepts, and it’s hard for us to teach him. I’m
going to be telling you how I live my daily life with my brother, Niko.
Niko is my older brother. He is thirteen years old, and in the seventh grade. He
was diagnosed with Down syndrome three days after he was born, and he was
diagnosed with autism at the age of six, as well as a few other diagnoses. These
diagnoses cause some behaviors that go along with them. Like sometimes
Niko has outbursts, and throws objects that could hurt someone. But Niko is
not intending to hurt anyone, he is very aware of people and their feelings.
Niko does not comprehend safety. He doesn’t understand he could be hit by a
car, or be burned from an oven or stove, etc. Niko doesn’t understand certain
concepts like tying his shoes, brushing his teeth, and showering, etc. Niko
needs 24-hour care, and he is not able to do everyday things independently.
We repeat these things daily. We would eventually like Niko to someday be
able to take care of himself, and know what is right and wrong.
Being his younger sister, I have to look out for Niko all the time. Niko would
love to have all the friends in the world, and I encourage people to play
with him. Most people are very understanding of Niko and his behaviors,
and would spend their whole recess playing ball with him. But sometimes if
someone has never met Niko, they might ask, “Why does he talk like that?” or
“Why does he do that?” or even, “Why does he look like that?” And they just
need to understand that that is Niko, and that is who he is. Niko is a normal
person, just like everyone else, and I try to teach him life skills daily, such as
trying to get him to pay money at the store, knowing when to cross the street,
and how to interact appropriately with others.
The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond
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